Online Reporter
Fungai Muderere at Luveve Stadium
Chicken Inn 1-0 Ngezi P Stars
CHICKEN INN head coach Joey Antipas, was visibly a happy man after his charges posted a first home win of the season, edging former Castle Lager Premier Soccer League champions Ngezi Platinum Stars 1-0 yesterday.
A solitary strike by defender Mpumelelo Bhebhe in the 49th minute was all that the Gamecocks needed to change the script.
The combative Bhebhe, who was on top of his game for Gamecocks, tapped in the ball from close range with the visitors’ rearguard in sixes and sevens.
“It is like taking a monkey off your back. It’s a big relief and we had to do it in an ugly way. We did well tactically, I think this result will give us a big lift as we move forward,” said Antipas.
He added: “We had to psyche up the boys and told them we need to win at home as the pitch does not play football.”
In their next match, the Simbisa Brands sponsored outfit, who are now on 16 points, will take on Highlanders at Barbourfields.
Antipas’ opposite number Takesure Chiragwi accepted the defeat ahead of their next assignment against MWOS.
“We have lost, we need to take it. We were in control of the game, we tried everything that we could do but we lost. We need to appreciate the boys for what they did ahead of our next game against MWOS.
“We were really organised especially at the back. Chicken Inn had more numbers at the back,” said Chiragwi.
The first half was uninspiring affair while the second was lively with both teams attacking. There was only one shot on target in the first-half.
Ngezi failed to capitalise on their early dominance, which saw them create two corner kicks inside the opening five minutes.
In their second attempt, McDonald Eddisone, jumped the highest but his effort, a header, went over the bar.
Moments later, Leslie Kashitigu attempted a long-range shot, instead of giving the ball to Obriel Chirinda, captain of the day, who was unmarked. The effort went over the bar.
The hosts got their first shot at goal in the 10th minute when George Majika’s effort from the edge of the box missed the target by a few inches.
Chicken Inn were forced to make an early change after midfielder Joseph Tulani was stretchered off the field with an ankle injury. Brendon Rendo replaced him to fill the midfield hole.
The first shot on target for Ngezi Platinum in the first half came in the 36th minute through Malvin Gaki, who dribbled past Dominic Jaricha outside the box before letting loose a well-taken shot, which Donovan Bernard punched away for a corner kick.
Moments later, Rendo dribbled past Ngezi Platinum defenders, but his cross was met by a Brighton Makopa header, which went off target.
Five minutes after breaking the deadlock, Chicken Inn broke on a counter attack which, however, yielded no result. Genius Mutungamiri, faced with an option to pass or go for glory opted for the latter but his weak effort went wide.
In the 68th minute, Madamburo, as Ngezi Platinum are affectionately known, came close to levelling matters with a brilliant interchange of passes, which ended up with Ashwin Karengesha unleashing a volley inside the box, but Bernard was equal to the task.
With 10 minutes left on the clock, Karengesha sent in a brilliant cross from the left flank, but Marvellous Mukumba’s header went wide of goal.
Teams:
Chicken Inn:
Donovan Bernard (gk), Genius Mutungamiri (Brian Muza, 80mins), Joseph Tulani (Brendon Rendo, 28mins), Xolani Ndlovu, Dominic Jaricha, Itai Mabhunu, George Majika (Tadiwa Muchenje, 74mins), Michael Charamba (Arthur Chinda, 74mins), Mpumelelo Bhebhe, Lincoln Mangaira
Ngezi Platinum Stars:
Tendai Chirara (gk), Arter Kaseke, Gomezagni Chirwa, Kudzai Chigwida, Tanaka Munemo (Ashwin Karengesha, 46mins), Brooklyn Katumba, McDonald Eddisone (Takunda Benhura, 64mins), Obriel Chirinda, Talent Chamboko (Qadr Amini, 46mins), Malvin Gaki (Marvellous Mukumba, 64mins), Leslie Kashitigu
Sidumisile Mabena